Man Accidentally Fired Gun While Outside Cleaning It: Sheriff

PLAINFIELD, IL — A homeowner watching TV Saturday night was in for a shock when a bullet shattered his sliding glass back door, traveled through his house and lodged in the front door. The shooting, described as accidental by the Will County Sheriff's Office, ended with a 43-year-old resident being arrested on a charge of reckless discharge of a firearm.

Around 9 p.m. June 12, a homeowner on the 14000 block of South Hemingway Circle in Plainfield Township was in his living room watching TV when he heard a "pop" noise and realized his back sliding glass door was shattered. Will County spokesperson Kathy Hoffmeyer said he initially thought the door shattered from the heat, so he started cleaning the shards. After a neighbor, who originally thought the sound might have come from fireworks, came over to help with the clean-up, the resident realized a bullet was lodged in his front door.

Will County Sheriff's Office got a call around 9:50 p.m. about the incident, and Hoffmeyer said deputies went to interview the homeowner's other neighbor, whose backyard meets his. Although he didn't originally admit to it, Hoffmeyer said, Daniel Lacour said he was outside cleaning out his handgun — a Browning 380 — when it accidentally went off. The shell casing from the shot was found in his yard.

Lacour, who lives on the 21000 block of West Hannibal Court, had a valid Firearm Owners Identification card, Hoffmeyer said. He was charged with reckless discharge.

The Plainfield resident posted bond, which was set at $5,000, and was released Sunday.